Nick Sogard also reaches base four times as Worcester falls in extra innings.
One thing truly matters today, and it only slightly involves the farm. The minor league games matter less in the grand scheme of things than most days where there’s not season-defining decisions for the Red Sox’s CBO Craig Breslow to make, but they still matter, as they’re the last game some may play in this organization. Let’s get into it.
Worcester: L, 3-5 (F/10) (BOX SCORE)
The WooSox used a bullpen game on this Trade Deadline Eve against the Iron Pigs (Phillies AAA) which was proving to be a good decision as the WooSox pitching staff combined for nineteen strikeouts on the night, but Jose Adames threw a bad tenth inning, allowing three runs even while striking out three in a frame (in other words, we call that pulling a Nate Eovaldi on a bad night.) Nick Sogard and Blaze Jordan felt the urgency of a win here. The former had three hits, one of the team’s only two extra base hits, and the only stolen base Worcester even attempted on the night. Kristian Campbell also extends his hitting streak to ten games while tending to second base defensively.
AM Edit: I’m now sleepily receiving word that Blaze Jordan is being sent to the Cardinals for reliever Steven Matz. If this were 2021 I’d run to the phone, but maybe even then, given Jordan’s “hitting machine” tool when he was drafted, I don’t. I hate feeling like Chaim got the upper hand in a deal, which, seeing what Blaze Jordan has done in AAA this year, seems to be the case, but Jordan clearly didn’t fit into the plans here in Boston, I’ll hate it significantly less when I don’t hate relying that Garrett Whitlock getting sick on a plane doesn’t give us lack of late-innings depth that likely won’t choke the game away. And after all, this is a textbook BUY, which is the description I want Bres fitting in all his transactions today.
Portland: L, 2-6 (BOX SCORE)
The Curve (Pirates AA) pitching staff were holding Portland pitching staff to a no hitter until one out away from being able to refer to it as an ongoing event, which is to say that the Sea Dogs went 4 2⁄3 innings without recording a hit. Noah Song got work in relief following a not-great start from Eduardo Rivera, which was a primary factor in this loss, but let’s also attribute that to the whole team getting just three knocks on the night and no one above the fifth hitter coming away with any. Max Ferguson hit a home run for the second consecutive game in the seventh inning which brought this game to within 4, but the Sea Dogs couldn’t get any closer, and to quote Boston area singer JoJo’s 2006 hit, it was Too Little Too Late.
Greenville: W, 7-4 (BOX SCORE)
In an almost inverse situation of what happened in Portland, the Drive enjoyed two hits from each of their three hitters (dead men walking in this organization as of 6 pm today? Perhaps, but let’s take a win as a win!) as they pulled ou a win over the Dash (White Sox High-A). Two of the three (Arias and Bleis) whacked homers, and Nelly Taylor settled for two singles. It’s a curious day for Arias indeed, as he may well be the piece that sends a deal over the edge today; his last month of action has left some to be desired, but his OPS stands at least over .700.
Salem: L, 1-2 (BOX SCORE)
Another showing where the bats didn’t show up to play in Lynchburg (Guardians A), and how unfortunate it was that it came on a night where Ben Hansen was nails and Joe Vogatsky followed up with a quality relief performance before Eybersson Polanco blew the save. Starlyn Nunez had a great night at the plate once again as has been customary of late, but the rest of the lineup was silent; Salem went 0-for-10 with runners in scoring position, striking 13 out.
Have a happy Trade Deadline Day, and if anyone cares, of course I’m Team Buy, what else would I be?